Masonic Festivities.

to tho satisfaction of one of the most brilliant assemblages that ever graced our Music-hall . The curtain rose upon the comic drama , ___ Wonderful Woman ; the part of the Cobbler being taken hy Bro . Bethel Jacobs , the Marquis de Frontignac "b y Bro . J . F . Holden , and the Rich Widow by Miss Simpson , of one of the London theatres . The acting was clever and intelligent throughout , and the subordinate characters were equally well sustained . Bro . Jacobs' " make-up" and "bye-play" were

exceedingly good , though he hardly seemed at home when he essayed the practical part of the cobbler ' s vocation . The second piece was a " new and original burlesque by Bro . Brough , " entitled Perdita , or the Royal Milkmaid . In puns—good , had , and indifferent—in word-torturings , and in all manner of extravagances—this burlesque abounds . In its absurdities lay its chief merit . Conceived in the true spirit of the ludicrous , it makes fun of everybody and everything it has to do with ,

and is , on the whole , as laughable a production as we ever came across . The leading characters were sustained \> y Bro . Bethel Jacobs , as the fierce , wayward , though relenting King of Sicilia ; Bro . Arden , as the King of Bithynia ; Bro . B . Harrison , as the Prince Florizel , who falls in love with the Eoyal Milkmaid , Miss Simpson ; Bro . H . Harrison , as Autolychus , who is truly described as a rogue and a vagabond , whose chief employment is to go " robbing around . " The characters of

Hermione , Paulina , and Time , were ably sustained by ladies from the Queen ' s Theatre . Miss Jenny AA'ilmore , as " Time , " sang one or two songs in a very pleasing style . Miss Simpson , too , has a very good voice , and she used it very effectively . The entertainment on Monday , December 8 th , commenced with The Bonny Fishwife , a pretty little comic drama , played

hy four characters only , all of which were , however , capitally pourtrayed . Bro . Bethel Jacobs , as the irritable , but kindhearted , Sir Hiccory , was admirable , and his assumption of the old Highlander , who " fought with the great Duke of Wellington , " excellent , and hishroad Gaelic dialect and allusion to his "Mareiated bodie , " elicited great applause . Bro . Arden , as flighty young AAlldoates , was equally at home , and dashed off the part with the spirit and ease of a professional . In the . ' 0 _ e

of the Gentleman ' s Gentleman , we have already had occasion to praise Bro . John Harrison ; but his gaiters , on Monday evening , outshone any previous attempt , and his " make-up" as the old Fish Fag , and his comic dance with Bro . Jacobs , literally brought down the house . Miss Ada Dyas , of London , played the Bonnie Fishwife most charmingly , and although perhaps she is not so well up in stage matters as the more experienced Miss Simpson , her pretty figure , expressive and flexible features ,

and piquante acting , ingratiated her at once into the good graces of the audience aud stamped her as a general favourite . Who indeed could wonder at the impressible Wildoates surrendering at discretion to the charms of such a "Bonnie Fishwife . " The burlesqne was played with more spirit than on the previous occasion , as all tlie performers were thoroughly up in their parts , and made considerable additions to the business of the piece . The grotesque but most natural assumption of the

part of the Bear by Bro . Rust , and a comic "Pierrot" dance ( expressly arranged by Bro . Charles Jackson ) , are especially to be commended . Miss Byas ivas again charming as the Royal Milkmaid , and her singing , especially a duet with Florizel , was much admired ; in short , all did their best to render the burlesque—which it really was—one of the best attempts of the Masonic amatuei-s .

The general arrangements were , as usual , entrusted to Bro . Arden , to whose artistic taste wo are also indebted for the two best scenes of the burlesque—the sheep-shearing and the Hall of the Statue . Our thanks are also due to the indefatigable stage manager , Bro . Mosely , to whose punctuality and promptness in arranging the properties , the success of both pieces is in a great measure due . Bro . Fred . Jackson ably presided at the ianoand some clever amateurs acted as the orchestraunder

p , , the direction of Bro . Edward Jacobs . Mrs . AA ' olfenden and Bro . Melbourne again kindly placed their establishment at the disposal of the amateurs ; aud the dresses , which were first class , were from the establishment of Bro . May , of London . It has been whispered to us that , elated by their success , the committee contemplate giving two performances annually , half of the proceeds to be given in turn to the most deserving of

our local charities . This is as it should he , and if the tenets of Freemasonry are so thoroughly universal in their charity , wealthough not of the mystic tie—cordially wish the cause God speed , and would say of the Minerva Lodge especially , with the Roman poet of old , JSsto pcrpei . ua , —TEaslern , Counties Herald .

Poetry.

Poetry .

A'ERBUM SAPIENTLE . AVhile here in Lancashire abides the stress Of wintry season ancl of sharp distress , A story I would tell—an ancient fable—¦ AVith such unvarnished skill as I am able . A dervise came to Bagdad when the crown Sat on the mihty forehead of

Haroung , A prince whose sway was feared by every khan , From ancient Nile to distant Khorassan ; In whom the people own'd so firm a trust That he was named AI Raschid , or the Jnst ; And who so held his court , that in a word , None came or went but might be daily heard . The dervise prostrate bow'dthen raised his head

, , And to the monarch spake , and thus he said" 0 Caliph , in the Prophet ' s name , to whom , Across the Syrian desert , have I come , From mournful groves of palm where Ta doior lies , Distraught hy women ' s wail and children ' s cries ; They and the chiefs who once were first in war , Struck clown by famine and an hunger'd are ;

Their stores consumed of corn , ancl wine , and oil , Their flocks a prey to murrain , and a spoil . AVhence shall this people in their need be fed , If not by thee , 0 king ? " The dervise said , — " To thee they cry , ere yet their strength be spent , In this great vengeance which the Lorcl hath sent . Allah ' s decree is just , though it be sore ; We crave thine aid till Allah ' s wrath he o'er . "

The caliph mused . " How say ' st thou , then , " he said : " Does Allah justly pour on Tadmor's head His heavenly wrath ? " " Yea , so , " was the reply . " Then , " quoth the caliph , " to what end should I Transgress the fiat of the Will Most High ? Whatever ill befall , it is most fit To reach some good transcenclant : so 'tis writ . " The dervise answered , — " Far as thy renown

Hath stretched o ' er land and sea , most sage Haroun , Por learning taught in schools of Magian lore , But little hast thou conned the sacred store -. Know , then , it consorts with divine decree That men should learn divinest charity ! Should feel that holier life is understood Alone iu deeds of gracious brotherhood . Feed , then , the hungry , that thou may'st perceive How nobler far to give than to receive ; And so thy mind shall rend the veil , and see The secret purpose of hard Fate's decree . "

Then , turning to Giafar , Ins good vizier , Than whom ne ' er Eastern king possess'd the peer , — " Go , " said the caliph , " send the hungry food ; 'Tis Allah ' s will we should all do good . " Moral : If any doubt bow good should come out of bad , Forget you not the Caliph of Bagdad . JAMES HIBBERI .

THE DRUM . PROM THE GERMAN OP Et-CKERI . Oh , the Drum—it rattles so loud ! When it calls me with its rattle To the battle—to the battle , Sounds that once so charmed my ear

I no longer now can hear ; They are all an empty hum For the drum—Oh , the drum—it rattles so loud ! Oh , the drum—it rattles so loud ! At the door with tearful eye , Father—mother to me cry—Father ! mother 1 shut the door !